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Oily hair takes no days off. If you have greasy roots, you understand the struggle of trying to extend your style. It doesn’t matter how good your hair looked in the morning; by the end of the day, your roots are greasy and flat while the length and ends are dry and straw-like. As a result, you feel like you’re constantly having to wash your hair every day to keep it looking fresh.
"Oily hair is primarily caused by the overproduction of sebum by the sebaceous glands in the scalp," says Dr. Margarita Lolis, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. "Sebum is a natural oil that keeps the hair moisturized and protected, but some people naturally produce more sebum due to their genetic makeup." She also says that there are other factors for why you may be producing excess scalp sebum, including hormonal changes, diet, medications, and stress.
Best shampoos for oily hair
It may sound counterintuitive, but washing your hair too often can actually make your hair more oily. Cleansing with the right hair product helps remove oils, dirt, grime and product build up, but doing it too much can cause strip your scalp of its natural oils and send it into overdrive mode. People with fine hair are more susceptible to suffering from oily hair because they have more strands of hair on their scalp, which means they have more oil glands. Your scalp has the ability to regulate the production of oil, but sometimes it can use a little help getting back in balance.
The right cleanser can help balance your scalp’s microbiome and prevent excess oil production from ruining your style. The best shampoos for oily hair gently cleanse without drying your strands or weighing your hair down. If you suffer from oily hair that requires washing every day, the right shampoo can help rid you of your greasy roots while improving your scalp and hair health.
What to consider
According to Dr. Lolis, there are a couple keywords to lookout for when shopping for a new shampoo to specifically address oily hair.
Labels
"Look for shampoos labeled as 'balancing,' 'clarifying,' 'volumizing,' or 'strengthening,' as these are typically less moisturizing and more effective at removing excess oil," she says.
Ingredients
You can also look for specific shampoo ingredients for oily hair, like sulfates, which effectively remove oil but may be harsh on sensitive scalps, and clay, which aids in absorbing oil and impurities. Another beneficial ingredient is salicylic acid, known for its ability to eliminate scalp buildup. Consider products with tea tree oil as well, which is known for its oil-reducing properties in both skincare and haircare.
How we selected
For the past few months, Women’s Health editors, including our editorial assistant Addison Aloian, have been researching the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated shampoos for oily hair. Our team consulted dermatologist Dr. Margarita Lolis and hairstylist Mitchell Ramazon, plus several WH editors with oily hair for the story. Additionally, the team evaluated thousands of customer reviews and ratings to narrow down the best shampoos for a wide range of needs and preferences.
We know the struggle of oily hair and have tested hundreds of shampoos in the hopes of de-greasing our roots for good. Below, we've rounded up the best shampoos for oily hair that are proven to reduce excessive oil build-up and keep your hair healthy.
Best Overall Shampoo for Oily Hair
Ouai Detox Shampoo
Pros
- Doesn't dry out hair
- Helps remove product buildup
Cons
- Strong apple cider vinegar scent
Don't let the word "detox" scare you—this shampoo is gentle yet effective at removing all the dirt and product build-up that might be lingering on your strands and causing your oily scalp issue. If you regularly use hair products in your hair, regular shampoo probably isn't strong enough to completely wash away that product every time you hop in the shower. It uses a potent combination of apple cider vinegar and hydrolyzed keratin to lift the leftover product off your hair follicles and send it down the drain. The strong scent might be off-putting to some who detest apple cider vinegar, but on the flip side, that's also how you know it's working.
This detox shampoo lathers up nicely and rinses out easily, so you don't have to worry about that strong apple cider vinegar scent sticking around. We felt a difference in our hair texture immediately after washing it out; the length and ends of our hair felt super soft and clean. We found that using it twice per week really helped to limit the oily appearance of the scalp. Once your roots are back in balance, we recommend using it once per week to maintain your results and eliminate excessive oiliness and dandruff.
Hair Type | Straight, wavy, curly, and coily |
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Size | 10 fl oz |
Cruelty Free? | Yes |
Key Ingredients | Apple Cider Vinegar, Keratin |
Best Luxury Shampoo for Oily Hair
Oribe Serene Scalp Oil Control Shampoo
Pros
- Contains powerful oil-controlling ingredients
- Leaves your hair looking shiny
Cons
- Doesn't have a pump
The texture of this oil-controlling shampoo is rich without being too heavy, which is a departure from most shampoos for oily hair that are light and sudsy. It features green marine algae and a sugar-derived prebiotic to combat oil at the source, rebalancing your scalp’s microbiome to help restore the hair to its natural condition, producing just enough oil to nourish your hair without weighing it down.
The results are immediate and lasting; we found that we could easily adapt to washing our hair every other day after using this shampoo just a few times. We love how clean our roots felt after shampooing. This shampoo is definitely made for those with thin hair who feel like they can never get their roots completely clean. The amount of product you get for the price makes this shampoo a tough sell for those with thicker hair types, but it may be worth it if it can help you go a few extra days without having to wash your hair. Plus, it gives your hair a gorgeous shine that lasts throughout the day, which means you can use fewer follicle-clogging hair products (like gels or hairsprays) to style your locks.
Hair Type | Straight and wavy |
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Size | 8.5 fl oz |
Cruelty Free? | Yes |
Key Ingredients | Biomimetic Amino Acid, Rosebay Extract, Green Marine Algae |
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Pros
- 100% recyclable packaging
- Creates a nice lather
Cons
- May not be effective for extremely oily hair
If you've ever been to an Aveda salon, you're probably familiar with this clarifying shampoo. It contains micelles to help gently remove product build-up and white vinegar to purify greasy strands. The vinegar isn't harsh or stripping and it is particularly effective at removing wax-based products from your hair.
The lightweight perfect is perfect for all hair types, from very thin to extra thick. If you have fine hair that gets easily tangled when its wet, this shampoo adds just enough slip to make it easy to comb out any knots while really working it into the roots. The refreshing rosemary scent adds an aromatherapy element to your everyday shower, elevating it into a highly sensorial experience that makes you want to take your time working the formula into your length and ends. Even if you don't normally enjoy scented shampoos, this one is light and refreshing enough to potentially change your tune. We love the thin texture, which surprisingly lathers well despite its slightly runny consistency. This is one of the few hair products that truly stands the test of time. We've used this shampoo on and off for years and it never disappoints.
Hair Type | Dry to very dry hair types |
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Size | 8.5 fl oz |
Cruelty Free? | Yes |
Key Ingredients | Peppermint, Micelles, White Vinegar |
Pros
- Soothes an itchy scalp
- Gently detoxes hair
Cons
- Strong scent
Hit the reset button on oily hair with this salon-quality shampoo from Paul Mitchell. Known for its signature tingling sensation, this best-selling shampoo features nourishing natural ingredients like tea tree oil, peppermint, and lavender to help wash away dirt and oil, leaving your scalp feeling clean and refreshed. The lightweight gel-like formula lathers up well and spreads nicely, making it easy to massage the suds into your scalp and ends.
Unlike other shampoos, you can really feel the clean that this shampoo provides to your locks, which you know is especially important if you suffer from greasy roots. That clean feeling sticks around for multiple days, extending your style and saving you time in the mornings. It's gentle enough to use every time you wash your hair but powerful enough to give you a really good deep clean when you feel like you need it. Plus, it's safe for color-treated hair. During testing, we enjoyed how it gives a slightly volumizing effect to the hair. Plus, we love how the pump bottle makes it easy to use just the right amount. For short, thin hair, one pump is more than enough. For medium to long thick hair, two pumps should suffice. While this invigorating formula isn't for everyone, if you love it, it becomes something you truly miss in your routine when using any other shampoo.
Hair Type | All hair types, including color-treated hair |
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Size | 33.8 fl oz |
Cruelty Free? | Yes |
Key Ingredients | Tea Tree Leaf Oil, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Panthenol |
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Pros
- Leaves hair feeling soft
- Detangles and conditions without weighing hair down
Cons
- Small bottle, which empties pretty quickly
Nothing wrecks a good hair day faster than greasy roots. This smoothing shampoo eliminates greasy roots while also giving you the shiny, healthy-looking of your dreams. The secret is juniper berry extract, which aids in balancing the scalp oils—some of which are beneficial to the health of your hair!—to prevent build-up before it happens. Glycerin, a natual humectant, lends a helping hand, maintaining the moisture balance of hair. We love how this shampoo enhances every hair texture; if your hair is straight, it adds shine and body, and if your hair is curly, it makes your curls glossy and bouncy.
Addison Aloian, WH's assistant editor, swears by this cleanser after it was recommended by her hair colorist. "It isn't drying at all—even though I use it every other day to wash my hair," she said in her testing. "The only cons I have are that it leaves my hair feeling a little tangled after I wash out the shampoo and it's expensive."
Hair Type | Straight, wavy, curly, coily, thin, and fine hair |
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Size | 8.5 fl oz |
Cruelty Free? | Yes |
Key Ingredients | Juniper Berry Extract, Glycerin, Babassu Seed Oil |
Pros
- Provides a deep clean you can feel
- Balances an oily scalp
Cons
- Expensive, giving the ingredients used
If your hair is ever feeling like it needs an intervention, this is the shampoo we recommend turning to. It takes your dull and lifeless locks and transforms it into soft, shiny hair that is strong enough to stand on its own. "Everyone is prone to product + pollution buildup and heavy metals from hard water, so the Triple Detox Shampoo works to safely clarify your hair without stripping it, says hairstylist Mitchell Ramazon. "It's packed with magnetic polymers that act as a magnet and remove product and pollution buildup, excess oil, and heavy metals deposited from hard water."
Ramazon recommend using the Triple Detox Shampoo once a week, letting it sit for up to two minutes minutes before rinsing it out. Follow up with a hydrating hair mask or deep conditioner to smooth your hair cuticle and quench thirsty locks. The "perfect" in the product name of this title is well-earned; when we tried the Triple Detox Shampoo, we found that our hair looked best on day two and three, which is usually when the oil starts to set in. We saw a noticeable reduction in excessive oil production after using this shampoo consecutively for a few months, which is why we feel confident recommending this product for anyone with oily hair.
Hair Type | All, including straight, wavy, curly, and coily |
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Size | 5.4 oz |
Cruelty Free? | Yes |
Key Ingredients | Ester, Phytantriol, Marine Algae Polysaccharide |
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Best Fragrance-Free Shampoo for Oily Hair
Nécessaire The Shampoo
Pros
- Lightweight
- Rinses out easily
Cons
- Unscented, which some reviewers say they miss
Detoxing and clarifying shampoos tend to have a strong effect on the scalp, which can make people with sensitive skin wary about adding one to their wash routine, despite suffering from oily hair. For a more gentle option, we recommend this fragrance-free shampoo from Nécessaire. The gel formula is thin, and almost watery in texture, but suds up rather nicely. We found that it creates a thick lather that's more than capable of busting up dirt and grime on the surface of your scalp. It features ingredients that you don't typically see in a clarifying shampoo, like hyaluronic acid, aloe leaf juice, avocado oil, and glycerin, which work in perfect harmony to clean and nourish your hair without irritating your scalp.
One enthusiastic reviewer says it set the standard for sensitive-skin shampoos. "I have super sensitive skin and this is the best shampoo I’ve ever used," they wrote. "It really cleans my scalp and doesn’t dry me out."
It can be difficult to find products without fragrances that also perform well, but this shampoo is up to the task. Gentle enough to use every time you wash your hair, it gets the job done gently, and makes your hair feel soft and shiny in the days that follow.
Hair Type | Straight, wavy, curly, and coily |
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Size | 8.4 fl oz |
Cruelty Free? | Yes |
Key Ingredients | Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Niacinamide, Panthenol |
Pros
- Affordable
- Softens strands
Cons
- Contains sulfates, which might be too drying for some hair types
Just because you're on a budget doesn't mean you have to let your oily hair go unchecked. This clarifying shampoo from Kristen Ess is under $12, and provides a decent cleanse that's effective at removing stubborn residue that can weigh down the hair. We love the creamy texture, which comes alive when it reaches your scalp, lathering up into a rich foam that grabs onto and washes away dirt and oil.
The ingredients are specially formulated to not only address oily hair concerns but also contribute to overall hair health. Hydrolyzed pea protein improves the overall appearance of the hair while avocado oil provides essential moisture without adding excess weight. Together, these ingredients create a powerful cleansing formula that promotes a healthy and lustrous mane. Our hair looked fresher and felt lighter in the days after shampooing, with noticeably less greasiness at the roots. Dale recommends shampooing twice in the shower to get the full benefits of this formula. We like to use this shampoo every third wash to maintain a healthy, balanced and grease-free scalp.
Hair Type | All, including straight, curly, coily, and damaged hair |
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Size | 10 fl oz |
Cruelty Free? | Yes |
Key Ingredients | Avocado Oil, Castor Oil, Mango Seed Butter, Sunflower Seed Oil |
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Best Weekly Shampoo for Oily Hair
Bumble and Bumble Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo
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Pros
- Easily removes oil
- Deep cleans strands without stripping hair
Cons
- Not suited for every day use
Add a new ritual to your weekend with Bumble and Bumble's Sunday Shampoo. This is not your everyday shampoo, and it should be reserved for those days when you have the time to really indulge in self-care. Formulated to break down oil and product build-up, this deep cleanser immediately lifts away all impurities from your scalp for a superior clean, allowing you to start the week with a fresh slate and even fresher hair. It's a fantastic shampoo for those with thinner hair that easily gets weighed down with heavier products. We noticed that when we used this product we could go longer in between washes and our hair felt softer throughout the week.
Great for swimmers or anyone else who puts their hair through the wringer throughout the week, this shampoo is one of the strongest clarifying shampoos we've ever tried, but don't let that intimidate you. As long as you use it once a week, you don't have to worry about it drying out your hair. Make sure you follow up with conditioner to rehydrate your strands. A little goes a long way, so if used once per week as intended, it will last a long time.
Hair Type | Curly, wavy, fine, and colored hair |
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Size | 8 fl oz |
Cruelty Free? | Yes |
Key Ingredients | Betaine, Glycerin, Sodium Laureth Sulfate |
Pros
- Great smell
- Reduces scalp itchiness
Cons
- Expensive, given ingredients used
This shampoo is like a cross between a scalp serum and a shampoo. It lathers like a shampoo but penetrates like a serum, invigorating your scalp and senses with ingredients like tea tree oil, betaine, and menthol while also removing detrimental build-up from your scalp and hair. The tea tree oil acts as a magnet for excess oil, locking in and carrying it away as it gets washed down the drain. The pump bottle is just an added bonus.
We loved how this shampoo had cooling sensation, which was especially soothing for dry or dandruff-prone hair. The rich lather effortlessly coats every strand from root to tip, sweeping away product buildup and residue.
While we love the fresh scent and stimulating sensation, we recognize that it might be too strong for some people who are sensitive to fragrance or have an allergy to essential oils. It provides a tingling sensation that can be felt even after you get after the shower, which we happened to enjoy. Unlike some shampoos for oily hair, this shampoo is safe for every day use, but when used regularly, you shouldn't feel the need to wash your hair every day. When we switched up our shampoo, we found ourselves missing that tingling sensation and sqeaky-clean feeling.
Hair type | Dry, thick and coarse hair |
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Size | 12 fl oz |
Cruelty Free? | Yes |
Key Ingredients | Amino Acids, Menthol, Betaine, Tea Tree Oil |
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How often should you wash oily hair?
As for how often to wash oily hair, it can vary based on individual hair type and lifestyle. Some people may need to wash their hair daily, while others might find every other day sufficient. It’s important to find a balance that works for your hair; washing too frequently can strip your hair of its natural oils, leading to increased oil production. Listen to your hair’s needs and adjust your routine accordingly.
Meet the experts
- Dr. Margarita Lolis, MD is a board-certified dermatologist based in New Jersey.
- Mitchell Ramazon is a hairstylist based in New York City.
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Cristina Montemayor
Freelance Writer
Cristina Montemayor is a freelance writer and journalist living in Austin, Texas, covering beauty, grooming, style, and culture. Her work has appeared in Very Good Light, BRIDES, Elite Daily, among others.